Market Monitor - 15 October 2021
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Market Monitor – 15 October 2021

Stock markets around the world have made solid gains this week as recent fears over rising inflation and global supply chain blockages have receded. Investors have focused on strong earnings reports by a number of major companies – in the United States in particular – as well as some improved economic data.
Concerns over sharp increases in energy prices in recent weeks seem to have also fallen back, although there were signs on Thursday that natural gas prices in Europe could be about to spike again.

The US

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended trading on Thursday 0.5% up for the week so far, with the S&P 500 1.1% ahead. Shares in the US finished the week strongly, with the S&P enjoying its best day since March on Thursday, posting a 1.7% gain.
This surge was underpinned by strong earnings reports in the American financial sector, with the likes of Bank of America and Morgan Stanley surpassing analysts’ expectations with strong results and bullish trading statements.
The latest jobless data in the US also gave cause for cheer, with ongoing unemployment claims falling more steeply than expected to a new Covid-era low. Investors see this as a sign that the structural problems in the American jobs market – where businesses have struggled to find sufficient staff to help meet rising customer demand – are starting to be addressed.

The UK & Europe

In the UK, the FTSE 100 closed on Thursday 1.6% up for the week, lifted by optimism on the other side of the Atlantic as well as by some good news domestically. Two members of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee reportedly downplayed the chances of an imminent increase in interest rates, saying instead that they and their colleagues should instead wait to see how the current surge in input costs plays out.

Meanwhile, a government minister said that the likelihood of a mild winter in Britain could help save the country from the worst effects of the ongoing energy crisis. Recent rises in oil and gas prices have raised the possibility that some manufacturers may be forced to suspend production for periods during the colder months – a move that would add considerably to the UK’s current supply chain problems.

In Frankfurt, the DAX index ended Thursday’s session up 1.7% for the week, while France’s CAC 40 gained 2%. Eurozone investors were buoyed by falling gas prices earlier in the week, although economic data continues to provoke concern.
In Germany, economic sentiment has been hit hard by the supply chain crisis, with investor confidence falling for a fifth successive month. Inflation in Germany, meanwhile, hit 4.1% in September – its highest rate in almost three decades.

Asia

In Asia, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong rose 0.5%, extending last week’s gains. But the Chinese economy is still struggling with the after-effects of the pandemic, with factory-gate prices up more than 10% year-on-year last month and many producers being hit with temporary shutdown orders as a result of soaring energy costs. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index posted a gain of 1.8% as it bounced back from the lows seen at the start of October.
October 8
October 14
Change (%)
FTSE 100
7095.6
7207.7
1.6
FTSE All-share
4046.7
4107.9
1.5
S&P 500
4391.3
4438.3
1.1
Dow Jones
34746.3
34912.6
0.5
DAX
15206.1
15462.7
1.7
CAC 40
6557.0
6685.2
2.0
ACWI
717.5
726.6
1.3
Hong Kong Hang Seng
24837.9
24962.6
0.5
Nikkei 225
28048.9
28550.9
1.8

Note: all market data contained within the article is sourced from Bloomberg unless stated otherwise, data as at 14/10/2021.

15 October 2021
Mark King
Mark King
Head of Investment Content
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Market Monitor – 15 October 2021

Important information

For marketing purposes.

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk.  Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

In the UK: issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, registered in England and Wales, No. 573204. Registered Office: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in marketing and providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

 

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Important information

For marketing purposes.

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk.  Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

In the UK: issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, registered in England and Wales, No. 573204. Registered Office: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in marketing and providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

 

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